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Description

In this episode of The Disruptive Leader, Ranya sits down with John B. Johnson, Principal at Small Studio and Identity Architecture pioneer, to explore the intersection of personal identity, business authenticity, and community building.

Episode Highlights:

• John shares his journey from architecture to becoming an identity architect, explaining how architectural concepts translate to brand and personal identity work.


• The powerful impact of authentic identity work, including how it helped launch this very podcast


• Deep dive into the "six-man approach" Small Studio uses to serve clients while staying true to their mission


• Discussion of the current identity crisis in modern business and why oversimplification of roles limits human potential


• Insights on the evolution of community building and the role local businesses should play


• The importance of authentic engagement in business and why projecting sameness leads to mediocrity


• How younger generations are changing workplace dynamics and demanding more authentic leadership


• The impact of AI and automation on brand identity and the importance of maintaining human connection

Key Insights:

🎯 On Purpose vs. Roles: "Instead of trying to find your purpose, how do you live on purpose right now?"

🏢 On Business Authenticity: "A brand is a concept. The identity of an individual is a concept... It comes down to distilling the raw concept."

🤝 On Community Building: "It's tough for businesses to engage authentically in their communities if the people running that business aren't engaging authentically."

💡 On Design Philosophy: "Design is innately about solving problems... design is about bringing peace."

Guest Profile:

John B. Johnson is the principal of Small Studio and a pioneering identity architect. With a master's in architecture and an MBA, John helps founders and organizations uncover their authentic identity and translate it into meaningful brand experiences. His "six-man approach" emphasizes serving clients from the sidelines while making an impact when called upon.

Connect with John:

• Website: asmallstudio.com


• Instagram: @JohnBCreating


• John B Johnson on LinkedIn